Following the dominance of Pakistan and England in Tests and ODIs respectively, the three-match T20 series can be touted as the ‘tour decider’. While the Test series was more evenly contested than the 2-0 score line suggests, Pakistan were completely outplayed in the ODIs, barring the first game.
The 3-1 defeat in the ODI series might have slashed question marks over Pakistan’s credentials in the shorter format, but the T20 team, like the Test side, is a world-beater on paper. And just like the Test side, the Pakistani T20 team sits at the second spot on the ICC T20 rankings. Led by Shahid Afridi, Pakistan would have to beat England to retain their second position in the T20 rankings.
Shoaib Malik
The squad announced for the ongoing T20 series is:
Shahid Afridi (c) Aamer Yamin, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan, Rafatullah Mohmand, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk) Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Bilal Asif
By the time you read this, the first T20 would already have been played out, with the second match scheduled for tonight. The squad looked much more balanced than its ODI counterpart, despite the fact that many players from the longer format have been retained.
Pakistan’s ODI side, which is brimming over with part-time all-rounders, doesn’t have the personnel that can perform for 50 overs. That lack of consistency doesn’t become a stumbling block in the T20s, where anyone who can bowl 3-4 good overs and is capable of getting you 30 quick runs, is a genuine all-rounder. However, one such player who will be missing out is the injured Imad Wasim, and one fears that Pakistan might miss his contribution in the T20s, as they did in the ODI series.
Mohammad Rizwan
Only a series win would enable Pakistan to hold on to the second spot in the ICC rankings
As recent performances have suggested, captain Shahid Afridi seems to have groomed a promising pool of players ahead of next year’s World T20. With a potential series against India to come at the end of next month, these back-to-back series will showcase the side’s true mantle, giving Pakistan the opportunity to justify their position in the ICC rankings.
Anwar Ali, whose heroics won Pakistan the T20 series against Sri Lanka in August, Aamer Yamin, Bilal Asif, Shoaib Malik and the captain Afridi himself are good all-round options for Pakistan, with the last three being spinners, on whom Pakistan have traditionally relied for T20 success of late. Even pacemen Sohail Tanvir (an integral part of the T20 squad these days) and Wahab Riaz can bat. This gives Afridi depth in both the batting and bowling line-ups with 6-7 potential bowlers and batting going down till number 10.
While Sarfraz Ahmed is the officially registered wicketkeeper – and vice captain – Pakistan have gone with Rizwan behind the stumps in the T20s of late. In fact, Sarfraz has been finding it hard to get a spot as a specialist batsman in the recent T20 series. It would be interesting to see the combination Pakistan opts for in the matches against England, with Sarfraz not having done much to help his cause after failing to make any noteworthy contributions with the bat in either the Test or ODI series.
Sohail Tanvir
Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali should be the chosen pace options, all of whom can deliver four tight overs when they are on their A-game. They should be complemented well by Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Bilal Asif, with varying forms of spin.
Ahmed Shehzad could be opening the innings with the in-form Hafeez, who has scored runs in both Tests and ODIs. Despite the ban on his bowling, Hafeez continues to let his bat do the talking, making him an integral member of all three squads.
Umar Akmal has returned to the T20 squad after being cleared following the Hyderabad incident. Akmal is the quintessential T20 player, who has been giving Pakistan much-needed impetus in the lower middle order. Shoaib Malik, Akmal and Rizwan form a quality T20 middle order, especially in Asian conditions.
Unlike the ODI side that was marred with question marks over selection, balance and even captaincy, the T20 side is balanced and stable. There is aggression and skill in the right proportions to make the side difficult to beat. If Pakistan get the right results against England (and India, if the series goes ahead) they would definitely be among the favourites for next year’s T20 World Cup.
